By kellitempleton
- Share any new insights you learned after listening to the sermon.
2. Read John 9:1-41 and discuss the following:
- What did the disciples think caused the man’s blindness? (vs 2) He or his parents had sinned. This was the common belief of the Jewish culture - hardship was due to personal sin. However, sometimes its just a result of living in a fallen world.
- What was the actual reason for his blindness? verse 3 says “so that the work of God might be displayed in his life”. This healing was further proof Jesus was the promised Messiah. Healing of the blind is uniquely the Lord’s work, and a mark of the Messiah (Ps. 146:8; Isa. 35:4-5).
- How does John 8:12 relate to this passage? Jesus is the light of the world. We don’t think it is a coincidence that Jesus says this just a few verses earlier than the miracle of the blind man receiving his sight. He went from physically and spiritually in darkness to physically and spiritually in the light.
- Why does Jesus keep healing on the Sabbath when it upsets the Pharisees so much? (vs 14) He is Lord of the Sabbath and he wants to shake the religious leaders out of their legalistic man-centered lifestyles to teach them that God did not make up their petty rules, they did.
- What obstacles did the blind man have to overcome to see (physically and spiritually)? Dave lists lying, fear, rejection from family/community, opposition, threats/hostility, and exclusion.
3. Salvation is often a process like we see in the blind man. Review the blind man’s progressive understanding of Jesus in John 9:11, 17, 27-28, 33, 38. How does this progression, coupled with the truth of 1 Cor 3:6-7, encourage you when sharing Jesus? The blind man went from seeing Jesus as man (Jn 9:11), to a prophet (Jn 9:17), to worthy of being followed (Jn 9:27-28), to stating he is from God (Jn 9:33), to believing Jesus is the Son of Man and worshipping him (Jn. 9:38). This progression should encourage us in that God is the one who opens a person’s eyes, we just plant seeds and it might take some time. We need to faithfully plant and water seeds, be patient, and pray for God to grow our friends and family into believers.
4. Look at the Lost and Found logo. If you are holding up Jesus as the light of the world how might the lost respond (John 9:16b)? What are the implications to us as we try to share Jesus with the lost? You can find the logo on the Bethel Facebook page. Note the extreme effort this man is going through to find something/someone. Dave makes a point that some want to be lost and some want to be found. Jesus, as the light, divides people. We need to expect this mixed reaction to Jesus, not be caught off guard.
5. Some characteristics of darkness are self-centered thinking, unbelief, fear, and inconsistency/dishonesty. According to the following scriptures what characteristics of the light are the opposite: Phil 2:3-4, Heb 11:1, 2 Tim 1:7, Matt 5:37, and Eph 4:25. Thinking of others, faith, power, love and a sound mind, integrity and honesty. Salvation is a sure thing - we are always in Jesus; however, a believer can chose to live in the darkness when not living for Jesus. Repentance and being filled with the Holy Spirit help us live in the light. It’s a continuous process. These indicators help us self-assess if we are living in the light or not.
6. The blind man was healed. If you were sharing your faith with someone, and they asked why your God has not healed you, how would you respond? How does God work in hardships? Probably the most important thing in answering this question is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern if the person asking is asking theoretically or because of personal pain. Our attitude, questions back and answers need to minister to the person no matter what but especially if they are hurting.
I remember one of my son’s asking me if God was real and truly powerful because he had asked God to take away his ailment and God did not. It rocked my son’s faith, caused bitterness and doubt, and he stopped praying. My son falsely believed that God would answer his every request like a personal genie and if God did not, He was not truly God. My son’s hope was in the answer/cure not God. My son thought he knew best; thus, putting himself in the place of God. The Lord does not promise us a problem free life. In fact, He tells us just he opposite (John 16:33). God promises He will be with us - He will not leave us (Hebrews 13:5). When we cling to Him, worship Him, experience His comfort, joy and peace in our troubles THAT is when we can most sincerely share Jesus with others. Often, this is one of the greatest works of God when we suffer - the salvation of others through our testimony and our own faith deepens. God draws near in a particularly deeper way than we have ever experienced Him. For further reading go to Biblical Reasons God May Not Heal
7. The more attractive Jesus is to you, the more you will want to share Him with others. What about Jesus in this passage was particularly attractive to you? We will use this question every week of the sermon. Answers will vary from person to person. Here are a few of my answers: Jesus’ compassion is super attractive to me. I like how he rebelled against religious rules to do the will of God. I love how personal he is in verses 35ff. He found the man after he had been rejected and thrown out. I love how he turns the world’s values upside down.
By kellitempleton
Pastor Dave Bechtel will preach in Richland this week (10/4/15). Here are the sermon questions for small group discussion:
- Mixer: How would you answer the sermon title, “He was lost, but was he found?”
Pastor Dave likens this biblical encounter with Jesus to a book he read as a youth, “The Lady or the Tiger”. This book leaves the reader in suspense, never revealing the young man’s choice - did he choose the lady or the tiger? Likewise, Pastor Dave believes we don’t really know the condition of the healed man’s heart - did he believe in Jesus or turn Jesus in to the Jews? We are hoping this question will start conversation while reviewing the passage a bit.
- Read John 5:1-18 and discuss the following:
- Why do you think Jesus asked that question in verse 6? On the surface, this seems like a strange question to ask a disabled person; however, Jesus was trying to reveal the condition of the man’s heart.
- What does the man’s answer reveal about his heart condition? (verse 7) Pastor Dave argues that his answer is less than noble and reveals excuses, blame, and shifts responsibility for our situation on others. If his heart was noble, he would of answered in a straightforward manner - YES!
- What does the Jew’s response reveal about their heart condition? (verse 10) Their focus on the trivial (eg, the mat) shows that their hearts were hard toward God’s wonderful, healing light. A pure heart would note the miraculous, celebrate with the man, ask questions, etc. Instead they missed the miracle and the chance for God to work in and through them.
- How would you explain Jesus’ response in verse 14? Pastor Dave believes that since Jesus reminds him he is now “well again” that probably 38 years before he was physically well but some kind of personal sin brought about his disability. Jesus is not saying this man will not sin anymore but Jesus is asking him to stop wallowing in sin. If he does not leave his sin, he will suffer separation from Jesus - the worse condition.
- Our character issues cannot stop God’s work for us and toward us (Point I) but they do hinder God’s work in and through us (Point II). What is the difference between “for us and toward us” versus “in and through us” according to the following scriptures? God’s work for us and toward us is his pursuit of us when we were sinners, lost, spiritually dead. It is his work to save us despite our flaws. God’s work in and through us is when we join Him and together work towards spiritually maturity, sanctification, growth. Our hearts need to be soft and willing to receive His word, change and grow.
- Eph 2:8-9 shows God’s work for us and toward us despite our flaws
- Titus 3:3-6 shows God’s work for us and toward us despite our flaws
- Luke 8:11-15 shows God and us working together to grow us
- Why do you think character issues and choices are relevant in a “Lost and Found” sermon series? Character issues and choices are relevant in several ways: 1) When we are humble, growing, admitting our failures and choosing to follow Jesus, we make Jesus known - not just religion, but a relationship with Jesus known. 2) When we share with others they need to know that their character issues/flaws will not prevent God from saving them, loving them, pursuing them. 3) When we share Jesus with others, they may choose to not follow Jesus and stay in their flaws. 4) One of our character issues may be fear of personal evangelism, lack of love for the lost, etc. We need to let God work in and through us as we grow in these areas.
- The more attractive Jesus is to you, the more you will want to share Him with others. What about Jesus in this passage was particularly attractive to you? Answers will vary but a few from the question writing crew were: 1) Jesus’ wisdom in asking a heart-probing question, 2) Jesus gives the man a second chance and introduces himself personally, and 3) Jesus offers salvation but doesn’t force it.
Break into gender groups to discuss the following.
- Pastor Dave challenged us as believers: “Don’t just lay disabled in your spiritual life when Jesus has asked you if you want to get well.” What is your disability and do you want to get well? Pastor Dave states that the words in this passage are for all of us! They form a sequence of his healing work. 1) Do you want to get well? God starts here - do we really want to get well? are the costs too high? are we willing to forgive? will I have to work? 2) Get Up! Jesus commands a paralyzed man to get up - something only done by the power of God. Often the commands of God can only be fulfilled by trusting in His power. Examples may be…..husbands love your wives; wives respect your husbands; be a witness at your workplace; etc. 3) Pick up your mat! Jesus’ second command is simply a command to not return to your sin. Get rid of the éclairs in the fridge if you are overeating; the alcohol if you are addicted; entertainment if it is tempting; etc. 4) Walk - Jesus is asking the man to not just fall but to walk in an orderly, purposeful, directed, rhythmic, well paced lifestyle - he wants the man to plan for continued success and then 5) Stop Sinning - He is telling the man to choose a lifestyle not characterized by sin. Occasional falls will happen but we can repent and walk again. This question is intended to provide a time of personal reflection, confession, and repentance. Be there for eachother and remember the steps of healing provided in this passage.
By kellitempleton
Jason Greene is kicking off the Lost and Found sermon series in Prosser. Here are the sermon questions for small group discussion:
- In one word or short phrase, describe your life before you met Jesus (lost). What one word or phrase describes your life after Jesus (found)? (e.g., depressed to hopeful; alcoholic to sober; anxious to trusting; legalistic to gracious)
We are hoping this question will help your group connect relationally and spiritually. We added the last two examples for those that may have grown up in the church.
2. Read Luke 19:1-10 and discuss the following:
- Review why being a tax-collector was so despicable.
A tax collector was just not an unpopular government official, he was considered a traitor hired by the Romans to find the money and keep the extra for himself, a thief. The Jewish Mishnah said that a tax collector was so loathsome that they should not even be considered human.
- How did Zacchaeus uniquely show interest for Jesus? What do you think peaked his interest?
He ran and climbed a tree - two things seemingly undignified for a businessman. Jason states that it is only by God’s grace that we seek Jesus (Rom. 3:11). Perhaps Jesus’ gracious reputation was leaking out, drawing Zacchaeus to him.
- How did the crowd respond to Jesus? Why do you think they responded this way?
The crowd grumbles and judges Jesus decision to eat with a sinner (v. 7). Jason thinks they responded this way because they believed you should clean yourself up first, then God will accept you (religion). The gospel says “God has offered acceptance to you; in light of that invitation, change”.
- Review the changes in Zacchaeus’ life. What prompted those changes?
He helps the poor by giving them half of his goods, making restitution for his sins of omission. He returns money stolen fourfold, making restitution for his sins of commission. Zacchaeus’ love for Jesus prompted those changes.
3. What changes has Jesus made in your life? What changes are you still working on with Jesus? Consider using the 2-Minute Sharing Your Story template as preparation for sharing with others.
Changes will vary from person to person as well those that God is stilling refining in us. The 2-Minute Sharing your Story template can help your group communicate those changes. We recommend this for three reasons: 1) It helps your group get to know eachother, 2) It gives everyone a front row seat to the power of God when they hear stories of salvation, and 3) it helps us prepare when we are asked about the hope we have (1 Pet. 3:15).
4. Describe the difference between the gospel and religion. What do you think unbelievers would say is the difference? How does your life display the gospel?
Religion says “Change, clean up, and then God might accept you.” The gospel says “God has offered acceptance to you; in light of that invitation, change.” In the gospel, God’s acceptance is not the reward for having cleaned up your life - its the power to actually clean up. Religion is often about following a set of rules, do’s and don’ts. The gospel is about a relationship with the Living God! Unbelievers do not see a difference between religion and the gospel UNLESS we are living in the gospel. When we are gracious, forgiving, in love with Jesus…..the world can tell a difference. They will often ask about it (1 Pet 3:15).
5. Brainstorm people groups in our society that are morally bankrupt, socially isolated, and/or spiritually disconnected. God sees, knows, and pursues these people; how does your heart compare to God’s heart? Spend a few moments praying for these people and your own heart.
The question writing team came up with the following groups: the elderly, the disabled, pedophiles, Mormons, prison inmates, etc. Often our hearts do not want to see, know or pursue these people as God would like us to do. This is a great time to confess hard hearts, pray for our hearts, and then pray for the people to believe in Jesus.
6. The more attractive Jesus is to you, the more you will want to share Him with others. What about Jesus was particularly attractive to you from this passage?
We will use this question each week of the sermon series. Answers will vary but we shared the following: We thought it was attractive when Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name and asks to eat with him - be in relationship with him, Jesus sees him. We love how relational and personal Jesus is.
Break into gender groups to talk about the following:
7. Discuss this quote from the sermon: “A proper love of Jesus sets all other loves [people and things] in their proper place.” What could others do to help keep you in love with Jesus?
Jason says when we love Jesus and leave our sin/other loves, its like getting the first button right on your button-down shirt. However, it is so easy to stray from our first love in Jesus. We need others to help us, remind us, pray for us, rebuke us, hold us accountable, etc. I have a friend who knows what my heart is prone to love more than Jesus and she regularly checks in with me and asks probing questions.
8. After hearing the sermon, how is God asking you to respond:
- Receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
- Share Jesus with someone specific?
- Other?
